Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ, our Supreme Treasure

Matthew 13: 44 - 46
44	"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45	"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
46	who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Like the man and the merchant in the parable, when we have found the kingdom of heaven, we will be filled with joy in discovering the supreme value of the kingdom of God and, we ought to spare no pains, no expense, nothing whatever, that we may possess it. As also mentioned in Matthew 19:21, "Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Matthew 16:24-26

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

"The kingdom of heaven is worth infinitely more than the cost of discipleship, 

and those who know where the treasure lies 

joyfully abandon everything else to secure it." 

by D. A. Carson

The treasure that the kingdom of heaven promises is worth every sacrifice necessary to secure it, and once secured to maintain it. Jesus Christ is the true Treasure, in Him there is an abundance of all that which is rich and greatness, and will be a portion for us. For those still finding and wondering for Jesus, there will come a time when we will appreciate what a priceless pearl we have in Jesus. Turn back to Jesus and have true faith in Him for there is none comparable to Him and His eternal Kingdom.

As Saint Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

The parable also could be seen as how much God love us as gave His son Jesus Christ to dies for us, His priceless creation and treasure; Jesus 

came and give all that he had so that he might take all the hurt of humanity into his own heart, might know the aching agony of all that we go through, and thus be able to touch us, to heal us.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep 

to gain what he cannot lose.”

by Jim Elliott, martyred missionary to the Auca Indians of South America

Our heavenly Father, 

how we thank you 

for the marvellous truth that you, 

Lord, have bought the world, 

that it belongs to you, 

and that you shall some day rule and reign 

in power and glory in its midst 

and all your promises shall be fulfilled. 

We pray, Lord Jesus, 

that we may all apply this to our lives, 

and that we may understand 

that you desire to heal us 

and bring us right now 

into an experience of joy and glory 

and gladness and fruitfulness. 

We ask these in Jesus' name, Amen.

Psalm 70

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.

2 May those who want to take my life

be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

be turned back in disgrace.

3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
turn back because of their shame.

4 But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

“The Lord is great!”

5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Lord, do not delay.

Jesus my Lord, I trust and I believe you will work the Miracle wonder in healing me.

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord who is full of compassion and mercy. I thank you Lord for all you have given me in my life but now I your servant Lord beg for your help as I need some funds in this time of immediate and urgent need. Jesus, you are my healer and provider, in you alone I trust and I believe you will work the Miracle wonder in healing me from my troubles and difficulties. In Your most holy and precious name JESUS, I surrender all to You and wait in hope to the Your answer to my prayer. Amen.

If you wish to give an helping hand 

(click here for details). 

Thank you & God Bless.

Matthew 19:26

“With man this is impossible, 

but with God all things are possible.”

Exodus. 3:7-8

"Whenever our cry for help reaches God, 

He promises to show us love and kindness."

If you wish to give an helping hand 

(click here for details). 

Thank you & God Bless.

God in our life depends on us

Matthew 13: 3-8, 18-23

3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

This parable is about God’s faithfulness where in very part of our life God has been sown with his seeds and we know what has happens to these seeds in us. God simply wants to sow his life in ours. The sower sows the same seeds in all four kind soils with equal toil, equal hope, and equal generosity. The sower does so without evaluation of the soil’s quality or potential. Whatever our soil quality is, but in God there is no life, no person, no soil is left unsown. It all depends on what kind of soil are we. Therefore ponder and as ask ourself which one of the four kind of soil am I?

God will do everything that is needed for the word to grow in your life, so that we will be a healthy plant, bearing the fruits of faith. Like the sower he has given us the word God. Jesus feeds us with all the nutrients we need, with the rich food of his heavenly feast. By the ever-flowing waters of Holy Baptism, he waters the plant refreshing and giving it life. Listen to his word and focus on him, because just like the sower, Jesus is sowing his seed everyday, it is happening even right now, today. This seed, the good news of new life in Christ. He who has ears to hear and that’s all of us.

This is why we all should change to be the soil as in Matthew 13:8 "8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." We need to listen to his Words, live in the Word and proclaim the Word to all.

Remember, the state of one’s heart influences the receptivity of God’s Word, acceptance or rejection. God confronts everyone with His truth. God confronts you with His truth. If one does not respond positively to the truths of God, then one will lose it.

We are called to be like Martha's sister Mary at Jesus feet

Luke 10: 38 - 42
38	Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house.
39	And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
40	But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
41	But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42	one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."

Jesus calls us to sit, focus and rest in His presence, to hear His words of grace and truth, knowing we are loved by God as His children. In Jesus our faith is renewed and strengthened our service in Christ. We serve Christ for His glory and for His name’s sake..Therefore, confess and repent, focus on Christ and begin faithful service.

Prayer

God of my end, it is my greatest, noblest pleasure to be acquainted with Thee and with my rational, immortal soul; it is sweet and entertaining to look into my being when all my powers and passions are united and engaged in pursuit of Thee, when my soul longs and passionately breathes after conformity to Thee and the full enjoyment of Thee; no hours pass away with so much pleasure as those spent in communion with Thee and with my heart.

Heal me Lord Jesus from all my difficulties and troubles, have mercy and compassion on me.

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord who is full of compassion and mercy. I thank you Lord for all you have given me in my life but now I your servant Lord beg for your help as I need some funds in this time of immediate and urgent need. Jesus, you are my healer and provider, in you alone I trust and I believe you will work the Miracle wonder in healing me from my troubles and difficulties. In Your most holy and precious name JESUS, I surrender all to You and wait in hope to the Your answer to my prayer. Amen.

If you wish to give an helping hand. Thank you. God Bless.

Prayer To Saint Anne

Dearest Saint Anne,

I praise god and honor you 

for having been given the grace 

to be the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

and grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many who have impored your help 

have felt the happy effects 

of your goodness and powerful intercession. 

Encouraged by this thought, 

I humbly implore you, 

O good Saint Anne 

to hear my request

(here mention your petition)

O loving Saint Anne, 

whose heart is ever full of human sympathy 

for those in trouble, pain or anxiety, 

have pity on me and grant me your favour 

as you have done for others 

in so many wonderful cases 

for the greater glory of God. 

Help me to know, love and follow Jesus 

by being a concerned citizen 

and an active member of His Church 

and to reach Heaven, 

there to praise God 

with you forever and ever.

Amen.

St. James the Greater, Apostle (Feast)

St. James the Greater the son of Zebedee was one of the twelve apostles given the mission to proclaim the good news, authority to heal and cast out demons, forgiveness of sins and the coming of the Reign of God by Jesus. James is known as the Greater because another younger apostle by the name James the Less. Together with his older brother John, both who were fisherman were called by Jesus to follow Him at the Lake of Genesaret while mending their nets. James and John left their boat and even their father behind, and followed Jesus who was already followed by Simon and Andrew.

James has a special place among the apostles,

1. When Jesus raised Jairus' daughter when all thought her dead, He only allowed James, John, and Peter be with Him. 

2. When Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with Him and this is where they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen, Jesus transfigured in His glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud.

3. Together with Simon Peter, James and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name "Boanerges," meaning Sons of Thunder.

4. James, Peter, and John that Jesus chose to join him in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane for his final prayer before his arrest where all three of them fell asleep on this time of agony for Jesus.

In Acts of the Apostles 12:1 which tells us that James was one of the first martyrs of the Church who was beheaded with a sword by the order and trial of King Herod Agrippa 1 in an early persecution of the Church.

St. James the Greater feast day is celebrated on every 25 July annually. St. James is the patron saint of hatmakers, rheumatoid sufferers and laborers.

Thursday, 25 July, 2013
St. James the Greater, Apostle (Feast)

Reading

2 Corinthians 4: 7 - 15
7	But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.
8	We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9	persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10	always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
11	For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12	So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13	Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak,
14	knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
15	For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Psalm

Psalms 126: 1 - 6
1	When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2	Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3	The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4	Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb!
5	May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!
6	He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Gospel

Matthew 20: 20 - 28
20	Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
21	And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."
22	But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able."
23	He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
24	And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.
25	But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
26	It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
27	and whoever would be first among you must be your slave;
28	even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Prayer

Saint James, pray for us 

that we may be willing to leave everything 

to follow Jesus as you did. 

Help us to become special friends 

of Jesus as you were. 

Amen

Time of immediate and urgent need....Heal me Lord

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord who is full of compassion and mercy. I thank you Lord for all you have given me in my life but now I your servant Lord beg for your help as I need some funds in this time of immediate and urgent need. Jesus, you are my healer and provider, in you alone I trust and I believe you will work the Miracle wonder in healing me from my troubles and difficulties. In Your most holy and precious name JESUS, I surrender all to You and wait in hope to the Your answer to my prayer. Amen.

If you wish to give an helping hand. Thank you. God Bless.

Prayer of St. Simon Stock - the "Flos Carmeli"

O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the sea, help and protect me! Show me that Thou art my Mother.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!

Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!

Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!

Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!

St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!

St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!

St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!

O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation! 

Amen

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

First Day

O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother! (mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Second Day

Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.(mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Third Day

O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we might be known as your faithful children. may we always wear it with honor by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours. (mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Fourth Day

When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us to be not only servants, but also your own children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as you children in joy, peace and love. (mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Fifth Day

O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God's people. (mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Sixth Day

With loving provident care, O Mother Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defense against the Evil One. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ. (mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Seventh Day

O Mary, Help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul with your continual aid. may all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you. 

(mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Eighth Day

You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope. Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints. (mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Ninth Day

O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel, you gave assurance of your Motherly love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son. Behold us, your children. We glory in wearing your holy habit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death. Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony! Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help! Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Savior, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children. Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls! 

(mention petitions)

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Chaplet of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Chaplet of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in this necessity. O Immaculate Virgin and Star of the Sea, help me and show me that you are my mother and protector.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in my needs for there are none who can withstand you grace. Pray for me and help me to obtain assistance in this life. 

Amen.

Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's and 3 Glory be's.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (memorial)

Prayers to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

O Most Blessed and Immaculate Virgin, ornament and beauty of Mount Carmel, thou who beholdest with thy special kindness those who wear thy blessed Scapular, look lovingly upon me, and cover me with the mantle of thy motherly protection. Fortify my weakness with thy power, enlighten the darkness of my understanding with thy wisdom, increase Faith, Hope and Charity in me, adorn my soul with the graces and virtues that will make me pleasing to thee and thy divine Son. Assist me during my life, and console me at the hour of my death and present me to the most blessed Trinity as thy devoted servant, to praise and bless thee in heaven forever. Amen.

Lady of Mount Carmel

Tuesday, 16 July, 2013
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial)

Reading

Exodus 2: 1 - 15
1	Now a man from the house of Levi went and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
2	The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
3	And when she could hide him no longer she took for him a basket made of bulrushes, and daubed it with bitumen and pitch; and she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds at the river's brink.
4	And his sister stood at a distance, to know what would be done to him.
5	Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, and her maidens walked beside the river; she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to fetch it.
6	When she opened it she saw the child; and lo, the babe was crying. She took pity on him and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children."
7	Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?"
8	And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the girl went and called the child's mother.
9	And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.
10	And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, "Because I drew him out of the water."
11	One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.
12	He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
13	When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together; and he said to the man that did the wrong, "Why do you strike your fellow?"
14	He answered, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid, and thought, "Surely the thing is known."
15	When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh, and stayed in the land of Mid'ian; and he sat down by a well.

Psalm

Psalms 69: 3, 14, 30 - 31, 33 - 34
3	I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
14	rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.
30	I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31	This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
33	For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds.
34	Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves therein.

Gospel

Matthew 11: 20 - 24
20	Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
21	"Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22	But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
23	And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24	But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, year of Faith pilgrimage to Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

On July 8, 2013 about 200 faithful from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butterworth, Penang made our pilgrimage to two of the Diocese of Penang designated Year of Faith pilgrimage churches. The pilgrimage journey was lead by parish priest Father Victor Louis himself. During our journey we recited the Rosary, watched the movie Mother Teresa of Calcutta and also manage to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3.00pm (the hour of Divine Mercy).

1. Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

2. Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Pematang Tinggi, Simpang Ampat, Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia..

At the church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Tanjong Malim, we where greeted by father Anthony Pillai and several members of the parish, We later celebrate mass during which we renewed our baptismal vows. After the mass, we proceed for lunch arranged by Father Anthony Pillai. The lunch was great, we extend our sincere thank you to father Anthony Pillai, After lunch we left Tanjong Malim heading back north to our next pilgrimage church stop which is Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary, Pematang Tinggi. On our way there, we made a short stop over at Kampar to buy some famous chicken/mutton curry buns and Kampar Chicken biscuits. On arrival at Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Pematang Tinggi. we were greeted by father Augustine Wong and some members of the parish. We had a session of short prayer at Church of the Holy Name of Mary before heading back to our parish NBVM. I would like to thanks father Victor Louis and all who work hard to make this pilgrimage a successful one. My parents and myself definitely enjoyed the pilgrimage, it was full of spirit and worthwhile although my  parents and myself celebrated Easter Sunday mass, 2013 at the church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Tanjong Malim.